Al Davis has lost his mind

Just a quick thought. Has anyone taken a look at the draft picks of the Oakland Raiders?

If you haven't here is a brief run-down after Day One. (If you don't know what a run-down is, ask Jim Halpert).

In the first round, with the 7th pick in the draft, the Raiders selected Darrius Heyward-Bey, a wide receiver from the University of Maryland. That's 7th, not 37th. Granted he was the fastest WR at the combine, most scouts believed that he would go anywhere from the second round to late-first round at the earliest. What is Al thinking? He could have traded this #7 pick to the Jets, before they acquired the #5 pick from the Browns (giving up 3 players and 2 picks), and gotten TONS in return. Oh, and they also could have gotten Darrius Heyward-Bey. He would have most definitely still been available at #17, as that it is where Jeremy Maclin was drafted, and nearly EVERY team had Maclin rated above Heyward-Bey.

Okay, the only reasonable explanation is that Al Davis, having gone almost completely insane, believed that he was getting a deal in drafting Heyward-Bey. Davis, in all of his genius, probably believed that he was drafting two players at once!!! A deal that not even Howie Mandel could pass up. Seeing as Al was born in 1674, he probably does not understand the concept of hyphonated last names. That's okay, Al. Everything will be fine until Darrius Heyward shows up for training camp, and you keep asking everyone when Darrius Bey will be gracing the Raiders practice field with his presence.

In the second round, Al decided to go on a limb and draft Michael Mitchell from THE Ohio State University. Oh wait. No STATE. My bad, Michael Mitchell from ohio university. The fightin' bobcats. Wow. Remarkable. What a genius. No one, BESIDES AL DAVIS, could have seen the NEED to spend a second-round draft pick on a guy that most NFL teams didn't even know existed. I mean, there is a possibility that not even Michael Mitchell knows that he exists. We are talking about a guy that Davis could have gotten AFTER the draft. Davis could have gone to Mitchell's house in August, days before the first exhibition, and said, "hey, would you like to lose 15 games this year? well then, you wanna join my team full of guys just like you, guys that absolutely no one has heard of???" This might be the absolute DUMBEST draft pick of all time. Well, except for that time that the team took a kicker in the first round. What team was that? OH YEAH, THE RAIDERS!

You used to be my favorite team, Oakland Raiders. Now, I don't completely understand how I made it so many years. I have now moved on to greener pastures, and now I can only hope that they put Al Davis out to pasture...

Lakers have finally shown up...

Well it only took four games into the playoffs, but the Los Angeles Lakers have finally shown why they are the #1 seed in the West and one of the two favorites to reach the NBA finals. Through three games against the Jazz, they have shown the offensive ability to win games or at least keep them close despite Kobe having an off-night (see: Game 3, 5 for 24). Yet, now, as if visited by the ghosts of Magic, Elgin and Kareem during their Friday night slumber, they have realized that it takes more than putting up a lot of points to BEAT teams on the road and solidify themselves as a contender instead of a pretender.

The Lakers didn't win convincingly, 108-94 to be precise, because Kobe went off for 38 points. Albeit this sudden outburst did help. (In fact, I predicted this would happen in an earlier blog "All-Playoff Teams, through Game 2", although I predicted Kobe would have 40. So close...) Nope, the Lakers showed the ESPN audience on Saturday night that it had made a subjective, intentional decision to lock down on people like Paul Millsap and Matt Harpring and forbid them from scoring. Yeah, let Boozer and Williams get their 20 point averages. Just keep Harpring and Millsap and others such as Okur and Brewer from firing in double-digits and boosting the home morale.

There were no real EASY buckets for the Jazz, who felt the sting of the surprise defensive efforts from Pau Gasol, Derek Fisher, and REMARKABLY Luke Walton (who provided some help for the foul-troubled Trevor Ariza). This helped keep the Utah crowd out of the game (thank goodness) and allowed the Lakers to keep their foot on the pedal.

It will take efforts like tonight's to ensure that the Lakers are once again in the NBA finals, and it will take a night exactly like this, but possibly better, to allow the Lakers to beat Cleveland on their home court.

In order to be successful in the NBA playoffs, you must show desire, ability, and toughness on the road. If you do not, you allow weaker teams to prolong the series, making you much more weary and tired in facing the next foe. The Lakers have shown desire tonight. Kobe led by example, and everyone else fell in line.

Indeed, it may have helped that Adam Morrison was in street clothes for the game, as the sight of him in a business suit, made the Lakers realize how horrible it would be to not be playing basketball in a few weeks. (or they just may have been surprised to see that he had showered tonight or possibly he wasn't quoting Che Guevara verbatim during warmups for the first time all season) Regardless of the loss of the permanent cheerleader Morrison, the Lakers provided us with a great exhibition of playoff basketball.

Also, I am going to give a shout-out to Shannon Brown, who has proved to be an unbelievably great mid-season acquisition for the Lakers. His defense, athleticism and three-point marksmanship have been true assets for the team. I curtsey to you, Mr. Brown.

The Lakers have finally shown up for the playoffs. It's about time. On to Game 5.

NBA fans= Ignorant and Whiny

I have noticed that the majority of fans at NBA games are ignorant to the rules of the game and excessively whiny when a call goes against their team. The most notable culprits are fans of the Blazers and the Jazz. Yes, these two arenas are two of the loudest in the entire league, but it is like their fans absolutely do not understand the NBA playoffs and how refs call these games differently from the regular season. Mostly, the referees allow a lot more contact and allow the game to be much more physical in nature. They do this because the players have a heightened sense of aggression, and if the refs called more fouls, the game would take four or five hours to complete because of the massive amounts of trips to the free throw line.

These fans just don't get it. Anytime their player takes it hard to hole and is barely touched, they are WAY too loud in their complaints. It is ridiculous. By contrast, when their player completely takes out the visiting team's point guard when he is driving through the lane, and a foul is called, they moan and groan for the rest of the quarter.

I hate this so much. I wish the referees could kick everyone of these fans out of the arena, so that I do not have to listen to this constant complaining. It is absolutely unbearable.

Please, David Stern, educate the Jazz and Blazer fans about basketball. Hold classes. Create seminars. Make these ignorant individuals understand that moaning gets you nowhere in playoff basketball. Thank goodness that both of these teams will be gone in a few days anyway.

P.S.- Dear Jazz fans, when Koke goes 4 for 22 and you only win by 2 points, there is nothing to be excited about. I will be very surprised if Kobe shoots like that again, and if he doesn't, this series is going back to L.A. at 3-1.

NCAA Bans Flavors of Vitamin Water!!

Those guys in Indianapolis have to be joking, right? Vitamin Water, owned by NCAA championship sponsor Coca-Cola, has had six of its flavors banned for use by NCAA Student-Athletes. I am sure that I will not be the first person to say that these NCAA guys are completely ridiculous. Banning VITAMIN WATER? What is next? Water? Sorry, all of you college basketball and football players...you cannot drink ANYTHING at your games and practices because it gives you a competitive advantage over other athletes. Here take these orange slices instead, no wait, I think we will ban those, too. Next week, we will ban student-athletes from having FUN. Am I the only guy that thinks these people are out of control? Are they just trying to exert their POWER over these young kids.

The list of banned flavors include:

Energy Tropical Citris (contains caffeine; guarana seed extract)
Rescue Green Tea (contains caffeine; green tea extract; ecgc)
Power-C Dragonfruit (contains taruine)
B-relaxed Jackfruit Guava (contains L-theanine)
Vital-t Lemon Tea-Rooibos (contains Rooibos tea extract)
Balance Cran-Grapefruit (contains glucosamine)

Oh, man. NOT CAFFEINE! Please, L-theanine! Thank God that we addressed this problem before point guards started boosting themselves on Rooibos tea extract.

Unbelievable. I hate the NCAA now. They have lost their minds. Nevertheless, all of you athletes out there make sure that when you stop by the BP to juice up that you don't grab the Energy Tropical Citris vitamin water. You could lose your scholarship, your spot on the team, and probably your pad-chasing girlfriend.

NCAA! Instead of worrying about testing players for steroids (USC) or marijuana (Percy Harvin), I am so glad that you are well ahead of these pesky Vitamin Water junkies. You are so well-ahead of all of us. I cannot wait until next week when you tell us that ICE will be banned for use in any beverage because it contains H2O, a compound found within Vitamin Water. Oh crap, I have said too much, now they probably investigate 13 schools for their alleged use of ice on campus.

Sorry 50 cent, you have now lost a fraction of your market share. My condolences.

All-Playoff teams, through Game 2

Most series in the NBA playoffs have played two games already. A few individuals have displayed an ability to stand out from the rest of the pack and be a difference-maker.

PG- Derrick Rose. He followed up his 36 point performance in Game 1, with a Game 2 exhibition of how to play defense. After just one season, he has shown that he can become a leader and a superstar. Today, he was named Rookie of the Year, the first award in an NBA career filled with so much promise.

SG- Kobe Bryant. Bryant continues to amaze without even trying. He is allowing the game to come to him while feeling out the Jazz. While he has not scored a ton of points in the first two games, no one will be shocked when he hangs 40 on the Jazz in either Game 3 or 4 to put the series away.

SF- LeBron James. LeBron has hit a half-court shot, thrown down unbelievable, highlight-worthy dunks, and made the Pistons look like a Junior Varsity girls team. This man is putting together a playoff performance that shows he is the well-deserved MVP for this season. One word for the Pistons: SWEEP.

PF- Pau Gasol. After he was owned by Kevin Garnett in last year's finals, a lot of people lost hope in Pau being a championship difference-maker in the post. However, few realized that it was really his first playoff run ever. With that experience under his belt, Pau has shown that he is ready to be yin to Kobe's yang. The spin and dunk on Carlos Boozer last night was Top 10 worthy.

C- Yao Ming. The Great Wall did not miss a shot for the first 5 quarters in his series against the Blazers. He is shooting 87% from the free-throw line, amazing considering the fact that traditionally big men are awful from the charity stripe. I would like to see him get deeper position under the basket in order to get easier baskets and more trips to the foul line. If the Rockets are going to make it deep, they need the big man to continue his great performance.

Biggest disappointment(s): Carlos Boozer, without Deron Williams, the Jazz would most certainly be looking at a sweep by the Lakers considering Boozer is showing absolutely no toughness or passion needed to succeed in the playoffs. Dwight Howard. This lovable center needs to show that he can have a killer-instinct in the playoffs, instead of always smiling and goofing around. And finally, Dwayne Wade. I know, I know. He is pure greatness. However, he showed no grit in a 90-64 loss in Game 1 to the Hawks. Come on, Dwayne, we all know that you can take over like Kobe or LeBron. We are waiting.

...and with the first pick of the NFL Draft.

The Detroit Lions will select Matthew Stafford, next year's Matt Ryan. For everyone saying that the Lions should make the sure-fire pick and take Jason Smith, the offensive tackle out of Baylor, I say two things: who is that? and furthermore, Stafford is the actual "sure-fire pick." If it wasn't for Andre Smith, the OT from 'Bama, being a complete idiot throughout the draft process, Jason Smith would not be getting but a mere fraction of his current publicity. Plus, the guy has been playing at Baylor for the last few years. Come on! It's Baylor. What could he have possibly learned there that would make him have an instant impact with a team that did not win a single game last year. Jason Smith won't fill seats. An inspired, motivated Matthew Stafford will.

It seems as if the ESPN draft gurus believe that Offensive Tackle is the position that you need to address in the early parts of the draft. They go on and on about the guys from Baylor, Alabama and Virginia. Yeah, this position is of great importance to teams that are reloading from a playoff run and their pass protection needs a boost. 0-16 teams need two things for sure: a new quarterback and a prayer pager. I disagree wholeheartedly with these so-called gurus. Most importantly, you need a franchise quarterback. It needs to be someone to build a team identity around, such as Tom Brady, Peyton Manning, Ben Roethlisberger, etc. (Notice anything about the guys? I bet you can't name their team's starting offensive tackles.) All championship teams have quarterbacks that match the team's identity. Moreover, you absolutely need a quarterback when you go 0-16 the previous year. So, hopefully, the Lions agree with this assessment and take Stafford with the first pick.

As for the next few picks, I believe the Rams will take an OT to replace Orlando Pace, even though they could benefit from some new blood at WR with the loss of Torry Holt or a future star LB such as Aaron Curry. Jason Smith, the PURELY FOR POTENTIAL pick of the draft, goes No. 2 to Rams.

The Chiefs will take Aaron Curry next, as he is definitely the best player available on defense and it just so happens that their defense is abysmal.

The Seahawks will most likely take a Quarterback. Mark Sanchez is their man. They could possibly look at Andre Smith from Bama at this pick, or trade down for a few picks in the 1st and 2nd round.

I will leave the rest of the draft up to the "gurus" and it is really impossible to predict the draft since one trade between teams could change the order of prospects drafted completely.

One thing is definite in this year's NFL draft, Matthew Stafford should be the 1st player taken, and if he isn't, Lions fans better get excited about a bunch of no-name players running behind the tackle of the future with SO MUCH potential, Jason Smith.

Next post: All-Playoff teams, through Game 2.

Some thoughts on SEC Football

I do not dare make solid predications this far from the beginning of the season. As we all know, college football is a peculiar science, in that there are many teams that may look like Tarzan but play like Jane. Regardless of this fact, I feel that I have come to few conclusions in the closing days of Spring practice.

1. Lane Kiffin is in for a rude awakening. It seems that there is no end to the list of teams that hate him for his continual degrading comments and smug arrogance. He has only been in the league for a few months and has not even coached a game, but he has managed to piss off every team and nearly every fan in the SEC. I feel VERY confident in saying that he will not last 5 years in this league. Yeah, yeah, you can say all you want that he is motivating his fan base and stuff like that. However, he is also motivating his opponents to want to beat Tennessee more than ever. Instead of intimidating other teams through his comments, he has found a way to make everyone hate Tennessee more than ever. I seriously didn't think that was possible.

2. Florida and Alabama will both be very good. Florida returns EVERY single player on their First and Second String Defense. Urban Meyer adds these amazing defensive athletes to an offense guided by Tim Tebow and the result is a guaranteed ten win season. It doesn't matter that the Gators lost Percy Harvin. With Tebow as quarterback, Florida could insert any sorority girl into the offense at Wide Receiver and be successful. On the other hand, Alabama loses 2 starters on Defense and 7 on Offense, but they will be replacing these players with more talented athletes. Greg McElroy seemed a little more turnover prone than J.P. Wilson was, but he also has a knack to make a few more plays with his arm. The defense will be great despite losing captain Rashad Johnson. The front seven is as good as any other team's in the country and will once again be the team's strength. Look for a repeat matchup from last year's championship.

3. Ole Miss is getting better. It's a little surprising to see how much better Ole Miss is getting under the direction of Houston Nutt. While the team has the most talent it has had in many years on both sides of ball, it can be attributed to the recruiting ability of Orgeron (oh, if only he wasn't insane). If Ole Miss is going to become a major program, Nutt needs to continue his fantastic ability to coach and develop, and he needs to address needs MUCH better in recruiting. Without the late addition of Bobby Massie, this year's recruiting class was greatly disappointing. Now that Nick Saban is at Alabama, Ole Miss will need more than coaching ability to win the SEC West and contend for championships.

4. Mississippi State made a great choice by hiring Dan Mullen. This guy is going to take the fire and passion that Urban Meyer has instilled in the Florida program and use it to stabilize State. It is going to take time for him to get the speed, but the state of Mississippi has great high school football and he can at least turn them into a team that contends for a bowl spot every other year. I just hope he learns from Jackie Sherrill's mistakes and does NOT rely on JUCO players to build the program.

5. The conference is #1, without a doubt. So many people said last year that the SEC is down and I completely disagree. There was merely more parity in the conference, as even Vanderbilt was competitive. This is due to the new acquisitions of championship coaches throughout the conference and the amount of athletes and recruits located within the conference's borders. No coaches recruit on the level of Saban, Miles and Meyer. Nope, not even Pete Carroll. The SEC will be back in the spotlight again with its 4th straight National Champion this year, whether it be Alabama, Florida, LSU, Ole Miss, or Georgia.

I will be back with predictions, in the SEC and nationwide, for games, championships and awards later in the summer.

Next post: ...and with the 1st pick in the NFL draft

Ladies and Gentlemen, Mr. Derrick Rose.

He came out of the University of Memphis. Everyone saw his potential. The Chicago Bulls thought enough of him that they made him the #1 pick in last year's draft. He had made college teams look foolish as a 19 year old, weaving through the lane, dodging defenders and making acrobatic lay-ups look elementary. NBA GMs knew that he would make an impact. No one foresaw how immediate this impact would be.

Game 1. Eastern Conference Playoffs. Inside the home of the Boston Celtics, going against the defending champions, Derrick Rose, a rookie to the NBA and starting in his first playoff game, scored 36 points and dished out 11 assists. Granted Kevin Garnett was not playing for the Celtics, but we may all may be in agreement that it would not have affected Rose's performance. He rose to a level that only few achieve in the playoffs against one of the league's best teams. I mean, yeah, Rose was a former McDonald's All-American and a member of the 2008 All-Final Four team, but everyone thought that he would have it a little rough for a few years before he became a star in the NBA.

Ladies and Gentlemen, Mr. Derrick Rose has arrived. In my mind, he is a star. I would dare say that if I were building an NBA team around one player for the next fifteen years, the order of my selections would be: LeBron, then Derrick Rose. Yeah, I would take him over Chris Paul (reasons: height and athleticism).

The guy does it all, from everywhere. He drives. He dishes. He bombs threes. Derrick Rose makes the game of basketball look effortless, all from a 6'3" frame.

Just last night, in Game 2 against the Celtics, NBA superstar Paul Pierce elevated to take a crucial shot in the later moments of the game and it was blocked. By none other than Derrick Rose.

Not only is he a good basketball player, but he is also fun to watch. Every possession down the floor, he leaves the audience wondering what is going to happen next. In the words of my girlfriend, he is so good, I love to watch him play. Don't we all. Well if you don't, then you haven't seen him yet.

I promise you this, Derrick Rose WILL be an NBA All-Star next season, and he may even be a starter in the game. Speaking for the first two games, if the NBA Playoffs were American Idol, Derrick Rose is Adam Lambert. He wows us all night in and night out, and he seems as the best America has to offer. Well that is until Carrie Underwood (LeBron) and Kelly Clarkson (Kobe) show up.

Next post: Some thoughts on SEC Football

Goodbye, Spring Football. 4 Months Left!

As we have seen throughout the country (especially at Alabama and Nebraska), the popularity of spring college football has grown tremendously throughout the last decade. Whether this can be attributed to growing interest in recruiting or extensive coverage by media outlets such as ESPN on a year-round basis, who really knows? It is probably a combination of both. However, what we can conclude from this is that fans are caring more and more about their college football, even in the month of April!

This offseason has seen ESPN broadcast full-length coverage of spring games at both Alabama and Georgia, while fans of teams such as Ole Miss and Auburn have gotten their fix with help of the regional station CSS. In spite of these media outlets displaying the game, in most cases LIVE, thousands of fans are still showing up at the stadium to get their first glimpse of the team before its DEFINITE championship run. Some fans are going so that they can see the back-up walk-on quarterback that they believe SHOULD be the starter. Others are attending just to feel that game-day atmosphere inside the stadium just one more time, like a sports-junkie needing a quick fix before a summer of nothing but baseball. Yet other fans see the spring game as an opportunity to experience cheap entertainment during this period of economic troubles. Whatever the reason, these should are showing up and it makes me proud. Not only am I proud as a fan of the Alabama football team (1 of 84,050 at the spring game), but I am proud as a self-proclaimed lover of college football.

I am so glad there are thousands of people out there just like me. People who can't wait just a few months to see what's going on with their favorite team. Keep it up, fans! Just be patient through baseball season. Only 4 months left!

Next post: Ladies and Gentlemen, Mr. Derrick Rose has arrived.

Duke's Paulus to Michigan as QB!?!?!?

Okay, so Rich Rodriguez is grasping at straws now. He, with two recruiting classes under his belt at Michigan, must find the Quarterback for his system in the ACC. No, we aren't talking about a second-string QB from Florida State transferring for a fresh start. And, no, we aren't talking about a two-sport stud of an athlete such as the guy he missed out on, Terrell Pryor. Nope, Rich Rod has expressed SERIOUS interest in having Greg Paulus come lead the Wolverines in the 2009 season. No, we aren't talking about Ron Powlus, the young man that Beano Cook predicted would win 3 Heisman trophies at Notre Dame last century. No, we aren't talking about Mike Paulus, the back-up quarterback at rising ACC program North Carolina. Coach Rodriguez is taking time out of his schedule to RECRUIT an athlete that has played Point Guard for Duke University for the last four years, spending a majority of the last two on the bench.

Standing 6 foot 1 inch, and weighing around 180 pounds, Greg Paulus is prancing around in the daydreams of the Defensive Ends at Penn State and Ohio State after this story broke. I mean, don't get me wrong. The guy is a decent athlete, and he has a high motor. And we aren't talking about facing SEC-type defensive athletes. But, still. Come on! This is a BCS conference. The guy probably hasn't thrown a football in four years. He was a decorated quarterback coming out of high school with an offer to play at Notre Dame (they probably could have used him), but he has been out of the game for so long that it is hard to fathom how Rich Rod could seriously believe that he has a chance to make a difference.

This will mark the beginning of the end of the Rich Rodriguez era. This brings a TON of publicity to the Michigan program, and it will only grow exponentially, if Greg actually wins the job. Nonetheless, it will make the guy look ridiculous if he gives the job to a Point Guard and the Point Guard throws a pick on the first drive. You mean to tell me there is no high school player in the northern part of the country that wants to play in this system? No one? Not one single young man that makes Michigan confident enough to not explore the obtain of obtaining the services of a Dukie to run the offense.

Do you think Michigan fans are actually excited about this? I would love to hear from them. I know that if Nick Saban was seen recruiting a Power Forward from Clemson to plan Defensive End, most Bama fans would feel worried at the fact that no one on campus is good enough to solidify the job.

I am beginning to think that the only reason that Rich Rodriguez is even a head college football coach is Mr. Pat White. Pat White got him the job at Michigan, and no Rich Rod, not even Greg Paulus will save that job.

P.S. If you want to see Mr. Paulus getting dunked on by Danny Green, go to this link. Michigan fans: This is your quarterback. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iY7LnSzHV58&feature=related

Next post: Goodbye, Spring Football. 4 months left!

MVP!! MVP!!

Kobe or LeBron, LeBron or Kobe. It is the debate that has shaken the basketball world to its core for centuries, or at least for the last two years. One is a 30 year old, three time NBA champion, that had lost his appeal to fans, thanks to a slutty white girl in Colorado, but has gained it back over the last few years by being a dedicated teammate and role model to young players. The other is the smooth 24 year old with unmatched athleticism that sells Sprite and Car Insurance much better than Grant Hill did in his prime.

If left to choose between these two superstars to build a team around, it would definitely be difficult, but, at the same time, it would be a blessing. No one shoots like Kobe. No one drives like LeBron. No one is as clutch as Kobe. No one is as appealling to ticket buyers as LeBron. You are fine either way. There is no wrong choice. However, I wanted to take a look at what separates these two individuals. What makes LeBron better than Kobe? What makes Kobe better than LeBron.

IMAGE: Lebron, hands down. Saturday Night Live. The commercials. Only Tiger Woods has a better image as a sports figure, and thats because he plays a "white" sport and can appeal to wider audiences (in terms of race, ethnicity and gender). Kobe has done his own fair share, but his brand has obviously suffered in aftermath of the alleged sexual assault in Colorado. He became probably the most hated player in the NBA, and did not do himself any favors by requesting a trade a few years ago. A move that has caused many Lakers fans to question his legacy. Of course, that would all be resolved with a championship without Shaq. Kobe has comeback though in terms of image. There was the funny commercial of him jumping over a speeding car and the one where he is riding a horse warning people of "broken ankles." He has steadily seen his appeal approve. I mean, the dude even changed his number from 8 to 24, to try to rid himself of his tainted image. However, in terms of branding and image, LeBron has the upper hand, and will continue to place himself in a category along with Woods, Jordan and Beckham as being sports figures that could sell a refrigerator to an eskimo.

CLUTCH: Who do you want taking the last shot in a game? Who do you want calling the right play in a decisive Game 5? Who has been there? The answer is obviously Kobe Bryant. The man has taken shot after game-winning shot, and never disappoints. When the shot-clock has been turned off, there is no other player in ALL of sports that elevates to the level of Kobe Bryant. He transcends the word clutch. The epitome of a game 7 player. Kobe Bryant takes the ability of Robert Horry to hit game-winning shots and does it without looking like a 6'10" gumby-human (I will patent that nickname). By contrast, until last year's playoffs when he went off on Detriot, LeBron was seen as anti-clutch. While he is working on breaking that label, he has a long way to go to enter Kobe's realm of clutchness. In reality though, he may never reach this level of Kobe or Jordan's game, because he is NOT the shooter they were and are. There is something about a game-winning shot that lives in your mind, rather than a game-winning lay-up. The difficulty. The shear brilliance in elevating over the opponent and drilling a 22 foot jumper in the closing moments is beyond memorable. LeBron will win games, but he won't do it with many jump-shots. He will do it by driving in and throwing it down on 7'3" Lithuanian wastes of space.

SHOOTING: Kobe Bryant. Reasons listed above.

ATHLETICISM: I dare you to name one other HUMAN BEING that can do the things that LeBron James does on the basketball court. I'm waiting. There is no one. You are wasting your time. He honestly does not seem mortal. It's unfair watching what he does to people like Rodney Stuckey, David Lee, and cast of others. He makes them look like they are 5 year old kids playing with Daddy. He is probably the only athlete ever that could pick up any thing and turn professional at that sport. Tennis? He will play the net the entire game and reach every shot. Golf? Have you seen his biceps? 400 yard drives. Football? Seriously? Baseball? Not even the guys on steroids look like him. Hockey? Who would stand in front of his way while he was skating? While Kobe has won a dunk contest in his past and has his share of highlights, this goes to LeBron.

DEFENSE: Kobe. I would discuss this, but who wants to read an entire paragraph about DEFENSE? Probably only fans of the Pittsburgh Steelers or Alabama football...

NESS (borrowed from You, Me & Dupree): This is the closest category between the two stars. This is what separates the men from the girls. The Larry Birds from the Sue Birds. The Michael Jordans from the Tommy Jordans. The Jerry Rices from the...you get the point. This has been called a multitude of things. X Factor, IT, Mojo...etc. Its obviously that both of these guys have it. But who has more? As of this moment, I'd say the edge goes to Kobe by the slightest of margins. However, this is changing. Kobe has been the MAN for the last few years, but if he loses the championship this year, it may mark the end of him holding the title as having the most of IT. LeBron is getting better and better. He is becoming more of everything. Its like when he crosses someone over, he gains their powers... Sort of like the ball from the Space Jam movie. Admittedly, though, LeBron says that he obsesses over Kobe's games. He claims that he watches Kobe every single game that he is on. I doubt that happens vice versa. Yes, he is looking for weaknesses in Kobe's game, but he is also looking for how Kobe has become Kobe. If this were a horse-race, I would call it a photo-finish in favor of Bryant. However, in only a few years, Kobe will be getting very close to retirement, while LeBron enters his prime.

Both players will obviously be Hall-of-Famers. It is also obvious that they are in the category with Bird, Jordan and Magic. Who is the better player? Kobe, right now. LeBron by 2011, without a doubt. One thing that is for sure after reviewing all of these players, it seems that if you are referred to by one name, you are destined for greatness in the NBA. Sorry Sasha Vujacic. Nicknames, given by yourself, don't count.

Next post: Duke's Paulus to Michigan as QB?!?!?!

NBA PLAYOFFS HAVE ARRIVED

Ok, the playoffs are finally here. 30 teams began the season in November, all of them (except the OKC Thunder, for obvious reasons) with a realistic or statistical shot at winning the 2009 NBA Championship. They all started at 0-0. However, as we have seen throughout the past six months, a few teams distanced themselves from the pack and built a solid foundation for a playoff run.

We all figured that the Boston Celtics would be back. They really only lost James Posey from a team that physically dominated the Lakers in last year's finals. However, throughout this season, the Celtics have been plagued by serious injuries. Most notably, to the heart of the team, Kevin Garnett. The season has really been marginally saved by Paul Pierce, who, a year ago, resurrected himself from the locker room ten mintues after being carted off the floor like he had had a fatal encounter with a land mine, and who has consistently performed during this season with a few remnants of the will power that had helped win the championship. Kendrick Perkins and Rajon Rondo have both solidified themselves as great role-starters. These guys may never make the all-star games, but will continue to contribute in many ways other than scoring throughout their careers. Nevertheless, the one lasting memory of the 2008-09 Celtics will be Glen "Big Baby" Davis crying after having his ass jumped by Kevin Garnett during a game! He has earned his nickname, no doubt about it. He seriously CRIED during a professional basketball game. Unforgivable. Possibly, he foresaw Garnett's impending knee strain and was expressing his pity toward his fallen leader and his sorrow at losing any chance to repeat as NBA champions. As we have seen Saturday against the Bulls, this team without Kevin Garnett looks more like the Denver Nuggets or Houston Rockets (teams that are so close, but will never get to the championship podium because they lack a team motivator or closer...such as Kobe or LeBron). My prediction for the Celtics is that if they can string the series to seven games, they win be successful and pass through to the next round (only to lose to the Magic). If the series does not make it seven games, it will be because the Bulls won their fourth in Game 6. Irregardless of KG being unavailable, this will be one (if not, the) best series to watch in the first round.

Call it a bias prediction, as all of my friends know that I am a life-long Laker fan, but I said last summer that the Lakers were the team to beat this season. The Los Angeles Lakers only lost the Martinique native-on-speed Ronnie Turiaf (that is, until they traded away V. Radmonivic's horrendously overpaid Serbian ass to the Bobcats), and they re-added a budding star in Andrew Bynum just in time for the 2009 playoff push after he suffered yet another knee injury during this season. Add Bynum to Gasol and Odom, mix in Josh Powell, Chris Mihm, Trevor Ariza, and Luke Walton, and the Lakers definitely have the BEST frontcourt in all of the NBA. Combine that with the league's best player (not best athlete) Kobe Bryant and the wily veteran Derek Fisher, and you have a recipe that results in success. Now, indeed, the Lakers have had some lapses during the season. Such as losing the BOBCATS, TWICE!!! Nonetheless, they were the only team to beat the Cavaliers at Cleveland, with LeBron in the line-up. The lasting memory of this season involving the Lakers has to be Andrew Bynum's comeback from the knee injury to increase the Lakers chances, or the fact that Pau Gasol has braces... will someone please order the Spainard an invisalign? Obviously, my prediction for Lakers is that they will win the NBA Championship in a 6 game series, beating the LeBrons. The Jazz will not put up much of a fight, Lakers in 5. The Rockets will beat the whiny Blazers in 6 games, but will fall to the Lakers in 6. Who really knows who will face the Lakers in the Conf. Champ?? Who really cares? That side of the bracket is very competitive. I'll go with the Nuggets beating the Mavs in a 7 game series. Lakers will beat the Nuggets in 6. Remember these predictions, because they will be dead on. Cavaet: I assume no liability if you bet on these games using my picks. In fact, I will call you an idiot.

Who do you all think will run the gauntlet and win the NBA Championship? Take the poll on the right side of the site.

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